A New 12 And Three Also-rans

The next day (Saturday) turned out to be good only for the thallophytes—a wet, clammy fog forcing cancellation of the races. Sunday had already been designated for hauling, so the boats went up on the ways with no decision yet made as to which should be the defender. The two leading contenders were still Intrepid and Columbia , but a comparison of elapsed times provided a yardstick of their heavy-weather performances.

In cold figures, Intrepid sailed the course seven minutes 59 seconds faster, which would work out at almost a mile in distance. Cut in half to allow for differences in the conditions boats might encounter starting 15 minutes apart, it is still an impressive margin.

Before the final trials started, Olin Stephens told me, "I'm not worried how Intrepid will go in heavy weather because she is a powerful boat, but I have been a little surprised how well she moves in light airs." Apparently she does well enough in both. While four races and a bumper crop of fungi don't add up to the selection of a defender, I am betting that when the guillotine falls, the head of Bus Mosbacher won't be in the basket to garnish with the mushrooms.